Feb 22, 2008

Traffic, Traffic, Traffic

Who would've thought that there's a problem with traffic on Saipan? Nope, not on the freeway nor on the road but on the blogosphere. If you all saw for seven days one blog (claiming the best one in the CNMI) risked big bucks to place advertisement online. According to the blog for seven days only over 190 referrals were gathered from that ad.

Just to set the record straight here, this blog never screams for more readers. It has never been a problem. We don't worry about attention. To some, it's a problem. Some fidget on their seats asking why Saipan Middle Road is getting over 50 comments most of the time? Yes. We have the record of over 200 comments on a post and almost 200 comments on another.

We originally encouraged an exchange of views from different sides. At this juncture, we learn from both. We look at things two ways. We now can use both sides of our brains. We can now see the turning girl clockwise and counterclockwise (if you haven't received that email with this amazing brain test, let me know).

We accepted anonymous comments we feel light and some have substance. Some are crass but yes we keep some due to negligence and some for fun and some because it's relevant to our learning curve.

We apologize for stepping on others should you feel that way. How about those blogs with tasteless photos of people, prominent ones and those that are just part of the family? Do they get away with it because they are anonymous? Well, some are very open to it. We never in an outright way use photos of people and make fun with it and show them to the blogging community.

We never say boycott an establishment on Saipan due to prejudice or personal ill experience. Remember, the establishment owner also feeds his family. We never in our utmost intention dig up dirt because the dirt comes to us. It's surprising that people would tell us their stories and personal hand to it. Mostly they are firsthand sources, witness to all the subject matters here.

I researched and based on experience about libel online and we all agree on what could hold us accountable. It brought me to the past during previous administration that the editor of a newspaper was forthrightly threatened to be deported from the CNMI due to his editorials. It never happened.

We learned from the blogging community and backed by comments by some lawyers here that blogging has been deemed to be personal opinions however could be a subject of libel as long as malicious intent was there, the reason why when you come to us for this, we could direct you to our sources. However, we won't do that. It's unethical for us to do that. Not even the newspaper people would tell you who their sources are for getting tips on juicy tidbits.

So going back to traffic, sorry for straying, it's not an issue here for us. We appreciate people visiting this blog. It will reach its plateau and reach the point that no one visits this blog anymore, but we are glad that 2007 was very memorable and productive for this blog. Those comments were amazing, funny and very educational.

24 comments:

Anonymous
said...

LOL! in other words your attorney told you to take out the stories about greg cruz and john furey. good move rev. time to go to the exciting blogs like lil hammerhead and glend558. they talk, we listen.

A little early, but this could be the blogger story of 'o8, vs, the blogger schism of '07. glad to hear you are backing of the spurious gossip, the last couple of posts were not up to the standards, Middle road usually upholds. traffic schaffic.

You weren't referring to my blog in this post were you? Please, if you do.. could you put a link in the post:) I'm a traffic whore.

By the way.. the photos are part and parcel of the post story. I believe in many cases they enhance the experience. In most cases they're satirical.

Either way.. I don't run a news site. I run an opinion site. If I feel as a citizen that I should not support someone's business for whatever reason and encourage others not to as well.. I don't see why that shouldn't be part of my blog. My blog is me after all. I of course do allow any and all comments. If you don't like my opinion or position.. vent away! :)

In a way, my blog is a useful tool. It seperates the wheat from the chaff, it exposes those who are good and those who are evil, it is a litmus test for integrity.. shining a light on those who just give lip-service to the beliefs they so often like to espouse.

I'm extremely proud of my blog.

Saipanmiddleroad should be proud.. it is kind of like a blog parent. Your blog encouraged me to start mine! :} And, what fun it's been.

"In a way, my blog is a useful tool. It seperates the wheat from the chaff, it exposes those who are good and those who are evil, it is a litmus test for integrity.. shining a light on those who just give lip-service to the beliefs they so often like to espouse."

The most pompous quote since Ambrose Bennett compared himself to Abraham Lincoln.

Hey Chaff, er, I mean Jeff. :}See, you can't "ignore" me. In some weird way, your life would not be complete without me. I'm that magical rock holding the sword. As much as you know it'll never happen, you have to come back to try to acquire that "edge" you so long to have.

By the way, the sword was a metaphor for edginess.

The parties always going on at hammer's place, and creatures of all sorts are invited. No voices go unheard there.. and none will be shunned. Smacked around a little maybe.. but not shunned. :}

For the record (and if you remember/or participated). I did run a google-poll on my blog in early November that asked readers what they liked most about my blog. After the "variety of post topics" and "the commentary exchange".. the funny photos ranked 3rd. 3rd out of 11 reasons.

I'm still waiting for that "pick of the week" slot SMR. I feel like the academy has overlooked me yet again.

"We apologize for stepping on others should you feel that way. How about those blogs with tasteless photos of people, prominent ones and those that are just part of the family? Do they get away with it because they are anonymous? Well, some are very open to it. We never in an outright way use photos of people and make fun with it and show them to the blogging community.

We never say boycott an establishment on Saipan due to prejudice or personal ill experience. Remember, the establishment owner also feeds his family. We never in our utmost intention dig up dirt because the dirt comes to us. It's surprising that people would tell us their stories and personal hand to it. Mostly they are firsthand sources, witness to all the subject matters here."

The foregoing two paragraphs summarize what I most appreciate about this weblog. The virtue of charity is important. Even for those who no longer go to Mass. I am thankful that my online personas have never been repeatedly slammed by the owners of this blog as "evil."

Yet your openness to uninhibitted comment is refreshing.

Even if we do disagree about the role of the ConGen and people sleeping on the job. ;)